CT Poll: Which Car Wins Hot Hatch Week?

This week on Car Throttle, we've brought you the finest in hot hatchery, from the pretty Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG to the very blue Volvo C30 Polestar through to the undercover monster BMW M135i.

We've given you our thoughts on who should take the ultimate crown as hot hatch week winner, but in true X Factor style, only you can decide the title holder. To help you, we're handing over to "our Graham" who will guide you through the nominees, before you vote in our poll at the end:

Contestant #1: Mercedes A250 AMG

All the way from Germany, say hello to Mercedes' newly-shaped A-Class. It has the puniest engine from the three (four-pot putting out 211bhp, pah!) but it also looks the fittest. And by fit, we mean pretty. And by pretty, we mean jaw-dropping.

But it's an expensive son-of-a-gun, especially when you take a look at what options you'll need to make it a comfortable ride, and in comparison the BMW M135i is a mile ahead performance-wise. It comes down to badge preference then, opt for the established Germans, or perhaps side with the Scandinavian...

Contestant #2: Volvo C30 Polestar

All the way from Gothenberg, say hello to Volvo's quite ancient C30. This particular beast has been Polestar'd to the max, giving it a 20bhp lift in power to a mighty 250bhp. Remember that it's front-footed too, so this car is for you posers and corner junkies.

Everything else aside from the Rebel Blue paintjob is a little dated, but it's the cheapest car from the three starting at £24k and it's also the one you'd do a double take at. But if ultimate power is your thing...

Contestant #3: BMW M135i

Then hailing from Germany (again), the BMW M135i might tick all your boxes. Flat-six, bare power and it's still under guise as a 1-series (potentially a good or bad thing). It takes 4.9 to whack up to 60mph, and for just over £31,000 we think it's an absolute performance bargain and a great-handling RWD car to boot.

This one's a toughie.